Commandos approach Sword Beach in a Landing Craft Infantry (LCI)

Imperial War Museums

Ahead, the beach is crowded with tanks and vehicles of 27th Armoured Brigade and 79th Armoured Division. Off-shore shoals and heavy defences around the port of Ouistreham considerably reduced the width of the landing area on Sword beach. Congestion on the narrow beach as the tide advanced and gunfire from strong German defences inland increased the number of casualties